On November 18, 2024, Professor Junjie Yao from Duke University visited the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, at the invitation of Researcher Liu Chengbo. He delivered an academic lecture titled "From Light to Sound: Breaking Limits in Photoacoustic Imaging, Cavitation Mapping, and Ultrasound Printing."

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging technique that combines optical and acoustic imaging to overcome the penetration limitations of traditional optical imaging. It enables high-resolution imaging at clinically relevant depths, making it a powerful tool for both anatomical and molecular studies. Innovations in engineering and artificial intelligence have significantly accelerated PAI, allowing for real-time monitoring of dynamic processes such as brain activity and developmental stages in transparent organisms.

In his lecture, Professor Yao showcased handheld, wearable, and head-mounted PAI devices developed by his team, offering high throughput, flexibility, and accessibility for both preclinical and clinical applications. By integrating genetically encoded photoswitchable molecular probes, his group enhanced PAI's detection sensitivity by over 1,000 times. This advancement facilitates reliable imaging of cancer metastasis, tissue regeneration, and deep brain neurons.

Professor Yao's research continues to push the boundaries of photoacoustic imaging, paving the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications across various biomedical fields.

Professor Yao engaged in discussions with faculty and students at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Professor Yao and Researcher Chengbo Liu engaged in discussions within the laboratory

Personal Profile：

Dr. Junjie Yao is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Duke University. He earned his B.S. (2006) and M.S. (2008) degrees from Tsinghua University, and Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Yao's research focuses on the development of photoacoustic tomography (PAT) and ultrasound imaging technologies for applications in the life sciences. With a Google Scholar Total Citation count exceeding 10,000 and an H-index of 50, Dr. Yao has been honored with 2019 IEEE Photonic Society Young Investigator Award, the 2021 National Jewish Fund Faculty Fellowship, and the 2022 NSF CAREER Award.  For more detailed information, please visit his website at https://photoacoustics.pratt.duke.edu/。